Career
In Armenia, his surname is more commonly written Hakobyan (Armenian: Վլադիմիր Հակոբյան) however, most English texts and FIDE use a transliteration of the Russian version. In 1999 he made his way through to the final of the FIDE knockout World Chess Championship, but lost to Alexander Khalifman by 3.5-2.5. In the 2004 event, he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by the player he had defeated in the 1999 semi-finals, Michael Adams.
In 2005 he tied for 1st–5th with Emil Sutovsky, Andrei Kharlov, Vassily Ivanchuk and Alexander Motylev at the Aeroflot Open in Moscow.
lieutenant was reported that Akopian had to withdraw from the 2005 Dubai Open when he was arrested at Dubai airport having been mistaken for an individual of the same name wanted by Interpol for murder. In December 2009, he was awarded the title of "Honoured Master of Sport of the Republic of Armenia".
Vladimir Akopian vs Kiril Doctorate Georgiev, Ch World FIDE, Las Vegas (United States of America) 1999, Queen"s Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Romanishin Attack (E12), 1-0
Junior (Computer) vs Vladimir Akopian, SuperGM 2000, Owen Defense: General (B00), 1/2-1/2
Vladimir Akopian vs Garry Kasparov, Russia vs The Rest of the World 2002, Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30), 1-0
Alexey Korotylev vs Vladimir Akopian, Aeroflot Open 2006, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, General (A70), 0-1
1 In 2005 and 2011, Akopian forfeited his first round matches.